2 Samuel 19 23

2 Samuel 19:23 kjv

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

2 Samuel 19:23 nkjv

Therefore the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king swore to him.

2 Samuel 19:23 niv

So the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king promised him on oath.

2 Samuel 19:23 esv

And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

2 Samuel 19:23 nlt

Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, "Your life will be spared."

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 23 Meaning

This verse states King David's solemn declaration to Shimei, who had previously cursed him, assuring him that his life would be spared. The king not only verbally promised reprieve from death but also solidified this promise with a binding oath, underscoring the sincerity and commitment of his word. It reflects David's immediate exercise of mercy and states his intent for national reconciliation following Absalom's rebellion.

2 Samuel 19 23 Context

This verse occurs during David's triumphant return to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion has been quelled. The people are eager to welcome their king back, and many who had opposed him or stayed neutral now seek to realign themselves. Shimei, who had previously shown profound contempt for David during his flight (2 Sam 16:5-13) by cursing him and throwing stones, now quickly comes to meet David, humbling himself and pleading for mercy alongside a large contingent of Benjaminite loyalists. Abishai, David's nephew, suggests executing Shimei immediately for his previous offense against the "LORD's anointed." However, David rebukes Abishai's desire for vengeance and chooses to demonstrate clemency. David views this day as one of restoration and rejoicing, a day not for shedding Israelite blood. This act of forgiveness, sealed by an oath, serves as a crucial political gesture, aimed at healing divisions and fostering national unity, especially in light of the significant support Shimei commanded within the powerful tribe of Benjamin. Historically, the swift and brutal execution of former enemies was common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. David's choice of mercy stood out, aiming to solidify his reign through conciliation rather than continued strife, which was also aligned with his identity as God's anointed who often showed patience and sought reconciliation, distinguishing him from typical oppressive rulers.

2 Samuel 19 23 Word analysis

• The king (הַמֶּלֶךְ, ha-melekh): Refers specifically to David. The definite article "the" highlights his unique position as Israel's sovereign, God's chosen and anointed leader. His words carry ultimate authority and weight. The phrase emphasizes the source of this decisive act of mercy and judgment.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyōʾmer): A simple past tense verb. Indicates a direct, authoritative verbal command or declaration from the king. It is a decisive act.
• to Shimei (אֶל-שִׁמְעִי, ʾel-shimʿî): Shimei, son of Gera, from the house of Saul, was the Benjamite who severely cursed and reviled David during his flight from Absalom (2 Sam 16:5-13). Addressing him directly highlights the personal nature of the offense and the personal act of royal forgiveness.
• 'You shall not die.' (לֹא-תָמוּת, lōʾ tāmûth): A strong negative command/declaration in Hebrew. This is an explicit, definitive promise of reprieve from immediate execution, a direct counter to Abishai's demand for Shimei's death. It demonstrates the king's power over life and death, and his exercise of mercy. The force of "you shall not die" is absolute, indicating full immunity for that specific offense on that day.
• And (וַיִּשָּׁבַע, vayyiššāvaʿ): The waw-consecutive, joining the previous statement. Introduces the additional, weightier aspect of the promise.
• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ, ha-melekh): Repeats the title, reinforcing that this sacred act of oath-taking comes from the highest authority in the land.
• gave him his oath (לוֹ הַמֶּלֶךְ, vayyiššāvaʿ lô ha-melekh): The verb shava' means to swear an oath, to bind oneself by an oath. The phrase vayyiššāvaʿ lô translates as "and he swore to him" or "he made an oath to him." This indicates a solemn, binding covenant or promise. An oath was considered sacred and inviolable in ancient Israel, often invoked in God's name, signifying the highest degree of commitment. It transformed the promise from a simple statement to a divine pledge, legally and religiously binding the king.

• "The king said... 'You shall not die.'": This phrase emphasizes the direct royal decree. It's a statement of sovereign authority extending mercy. It highlights David's decision to break the typical cycle of vengeance in response to an insult to his royal dignity.
• "And the king gave him his oath.": This adds a crucial layer of certainty and formality to the promise. In ancient Israel, an oath made a verbal commitment unbreakable, considered a matter of life and death, often invoking God as a witness. David's oath meant his promise of life was immutable and public, binding not just himself, but also his administration, to spare Shimei for his rebellion. It showed deep commitment to national reconciliation and his own integrity as a monarch.

2 Samuel 19 23 Bonus section

David's oath to Shimei was for that specific offense of cursing the king during his flight, ensuring he would not die "on this day." It represented a temporary suspension of divine justice mediated through human kingship, recognizing the gravity of Shimei's initial transgression. However, this oath did not grant Shimei a lifetime blanket immunity from any future wrongdoing. Later, as David lay dying, he instructed Solomon regarding Shimei (1 Kgs 2:8-9), acknowledging the earlier oath ("I swore to him by the LORD") but also identifying Shimei as a potentially dangerous figure, implicitly passing the judgment to Solomon for future handling based on Shimei's conduct. Solomon later placed Shimei under a house arrest oath (1 Kgs 2:36-38), forbidding him from leaving Jerusalem. When Shimei violated this latter oath, Solomon executed him (1 Kgs 2:39-46), demonstrating that David's original oath protected Shimei only from his initial offense and not from subsequent transgressions of the law or a direct royal command. This highlights the precise and sometimes nuanced nature of biblical oaths and justice.

2 Samuel 19 23 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:23 records King David's pivotal act of clemency toward Shimei, who had openly cursed him during his flight from Absalom's rebellion. David's pronouncement, "You shall not die," was a direct rebuttal to the zealous demands for vengeance from his own general, Abishai, who viewed Shimei's act as deserving of death against the Lord's anointed. By further sealing this promise with an oath, David elevated his word to an unassailable commitment. This decision was more than simple mercy; it was a profound act of statesmanship designed to unify a fractured nation. As David was being restored to his throne by the grace of God, he sought to reflect divine attributes of forgiveness and compassion, initiating a new era free from retaliatory bloodshed. This move not only stabilized his immediate return but also demonstrated a principle of leadership focused on restoration over retribution. It provided security for many who might have feared similar treatment and prevented new internal conflicts.Examples: A leader choosing to pardon a vocal opponent during a time of crisis to unite a fractured community; A family choosing forgiveness for a serious wrong to begin a healing process; A community granting grace to a repentant individual instead of immediate punishment for past mistakes.